ONCE again the weather tried its best to disrupt the planned sporting events but as always, with the support of the incredible Harlow primary school staff, the children had an amazing time. The roars from the crowds of spectators heralded the start of each of…

CHLOE Colton and Kieron Dyer took to the stage in front of a packed house to mark the start of the annual Battle Of The Bands competition. With the microphones checked, the lights on and the room full of anticipation, they introduced the first band.…

STEWARDS Academy welcomed a Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge facilitator to work with Year 10 students recently. Pupils participated in an all-day workshop and shared their speeches at the end. They found it a thoroughly engaging experience. Pupil comments: ‘An amazing experience, I learnt how…

A NUMBER of teaching unions have expressed their concerns over “plans to imposes cuts” in schools run by REAch2 Academy. The schools in Harlow run by REAch are: Pemberley Primary Academy, Water Lane Primary Academy and Newhall Primary Academy. The joint statement by the unions…

STOPPING or preventing school inspections in England would be against “children’s best interests”, the chief inspector of Ofsted has said reports the BBC. Amanda Spielman said they played an important role for schools and parents.  Unions have called for them to be paused, after head…

A HARLOW nursery has been highly praised by government inspectors Ofsted. Banana Moon Day Nursery is based at the Netteswell Hall Annexe, Netteswell Orchard, Park Lane. The report states: Children enjoy their time in this welcoming nursery. They form secure attachments with staff and seek…

HARLOW MP and Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon delivered a speech to the Holex Spring Network Event. Mr Halfon said: Hello everyone. I’m sorry that I can’t be with you today as planned, as I’m in Parliament for the Lifelong Loan…

AN OLD Harlow school has applied to move a double decker bus into their school grounds in order to use it as an extra classroom. Fawbert and Barnard Primary school on London Road, has submitted their plans to the Harlow Council planning portal. The application…

English Schools’ Cross Country Championships WOLLATON Park, Nottingham, was the venue for the English Schools’ Cup Cross Country event. Harlow AC member, and St Mark’s pupil, George Watkins was selected in the Junior Boys’ team. Junior Boys’ brings together school years eight and nine, so…

NEWHALL Primary Academy has been highly praised following an inspection by Ofsted. The government inspectors came to the school on January 24th and 25th. Some of the observations were: Newhall is a vibrant and happy school. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They are kind to…

THE DOWNS Primary school has been told it “Requires Improvement” following an Ofsted inspection. The following recommendations were made: The school’s curriculum is at an early stage of implementation in some subjects. Leaders have not addressed the inconsistencies in teaching and so pupils do not…

REPRESENTATIVES from Jacobs joined students at Mark Hall Academy in Harlow last week for a special skills event to coincide with International Women’s Day.  Showcasing the different types of careers at Jacobs across various Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) subjects, year 9 students…

ESSEX Firefighters paid a visit to Blossoms Nursery in Thornwood last week. They had been reading about heroes and so it seemed appropriate that the fire fighters came along. A spokesperson said: “The children had really enjoyed the story  “Superheroes Like Us” by Dr Ranj.…

THE GOOD news is that Harlow’s Dani Donovan has reached the final five of BBC’s The Apprentice. The bad news is that she must now face an interrogation from the judges. Business bosses Linda Plant, Claude Littner and Mike Soutar take a long hard look…